CEO Blog

Please join us for two annual conferences this February at St Mary Catholic church in Solon! Saturday, Feb. 3rd is the Women’s Day of Renewal. It will feature two inspiring speakers, Sr. Anne Marie Walsh and Patty Schneier. Sr. Anne Marie has been a religious for…

Thursday, Dec. 14th, 7:00 PM – St. Mary Church, Solon St. Mary Parish in Solon welcomes you to a teaching and exposition of Sacred Relics. Over 150 relics will be shown, some believed to be as old as 2000 years. Among the treasures will be relics of St. Joseph, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Maria…

There’s nothing wrong with a healthy dose of skepticism. It keeps us grounded and less likely to fall victim to cons and scams. Thomas the Apostle doubted reports that Jesus had risen from the dead. He said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my…

This year marks 100 years since apparitions of the Virgin Mary were first reported by three shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. During the six occurrences she appeared to them, she had messages of joy, warning and hope. What were those messages? How do they affect us today? To commemorate this anniversary, a free, one-day conference…

Lent is a time of repentance, self-denial and preparation of Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The ashes we receive on Ash Wednesday are an outward sign of our inward act of repentance. Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days and nights. One of the small ways we can honor His sacrifice is by…

By Pete Mathison When is the last time you did a Christian retreat? Have you ever done a Christian retreat. I have noticed in life that anytime we find a new restaurant that we love, or a movie that we think everyone should see, or a vacation spot that we know our friends would…

The following is an article published in The Record, the newspaper of the archdiocese of Louisville, KY. Donna Lang, now of Louisville, was a founding member of the CEO team in Cedar Rapids. Lay-led CEO ministry aims to renew and re-energize By Jessica Able, Record Staff Writer Catholic Evangelization Outreach (CEO), a ministry of St. Margaret…

Heavenly Father, In this time of new beginnings, We recall how the heavens celebrated the birth of a new born baby wrapped in swaddling clothes in a manager. We think back to His humble beginnings and recall the obstacles and challenges He faced in life. At this time of new beginnings, And at the beginning…

Ask Jesus to remove any worry By Jason Hartwig Who remembers this popular 80’s song by Bobby McFerrin? It’s such a catchy a capella song which always puts a smile in my face. But these lyrics are easier sung than actually putting into practice… right? After all we have things we “need” to worry about….

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I have been attending CEO presentations for a year and they have made my faith life so much richer. The most recent CEO With Molly Larkin was outstanding. CEO has become a real addition to my life in becoming a better Catholic man. Thank you for providing this service to our community.

Joe Lynott

“If you read the documents on evangelization, the most powerful thing to be is a creditable witness. By listening to other people’s witness we find our own voice. CEO is simple, a witness talk, it’s bringing people together, feeding them, and allowing them to converse and start discussing. Yet there’s such power in the simplicity of it.”

Mary PedersonDirector of Faith Formation, Archdiocese of Dubuque

My initial and ongoing impression of CEO is that these are Catholic Christians who are positive, optimistic, hopeful and serious about their Catholic faith and confirm in words and actions that the Holy Spirit is alive and well in our Church and in our community! As a Catholic, I am deeply moved and reassured by the witness of my fellow Catholics.

Dr. Glenn JanusEmeritus Professor of History, Coe College

“CEO is making a positive impact on the life of Catholic parishes and individuals. We are all called to evangelize, that is, to let the good news of God’s salvation on earth break through the dark of the world. CEO is the latest example of that light of faith spontaneously shining through the hearts of the family of God to reveal His crucified love and let the hungry, discontented soul discover where they may best be satisfied and find rest. May God bless all the efforts and expressions of CEO.”

Fr. Chris Podhajsky

“Catholic Evangelization Outreach has the potential to light Cedar Rapids on fire with a renewal of faith for some and a new birth in Christ in others. The Holy Spirit is moving through this effort and all who participate in it will benefit with blessings from God.”